Politics

₱50-Million Library Transforms Carmona—But What’s Happening Inside Is Drawing Students Back to Books

CARMONA CITY, CAVITE — In an era when students increasingly turn to screens for information, one Cavite city is betting on something more traditional: a physical place where books, research, technology and learning can come together. The Carmona City Public Library and Learning Resource Center, a four-storey facility funded through the Local Government Support Fund–Financial Assistance to Local Government Units (LGSF-FALGU), has become a learning hub for students, residents and even remote work

Politics

₱57.87-Billion LGSF Reaches Philippine Towns—But the Bigger Change May Be Coming to Local Governments

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna — A government fund once criticized for slow and complicated access is taking on a much bigger role in Philippine local governance, with municipalities now receiving more direct financial support for projects ranging from food assistance to water systems, health facilities and roads. The Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) has reached a record ₱57.872 billion for 2026, an increase of roughly ₱34.87 billion from the previous year. For smaller municipalities such as Santa M

Asia

ASEAN Just Made a Major Digital Trade Move in Manila—But the Bigger Economic Shift Is Still Coming

MANILA, Philippines — ASEAN is moving to make Southeast Asia's economy more connected, more digitally driven and less vulnerable to global supply-chain shocks, with senior economic officials using Manila meetings to advance a series of initiatives spanning digital trade, semiconductors, trade security and small-business growth. Senior economic officials from ASEAN's 11 member states concluded four days of meetings in Metro Manila on Aug. 10, laying the groundwork for the next round of economic

Politics

Beyond the Badge: Valley Cops Push Accountability, Public Trust Through Accountability, Partnership

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan — Police operations are often measured by arrests, seized firearms and solved cases. But for the Philippine National Police in Cagayan Valley, the bigger test may be whether residents actually feel safe—and trust the officers assigned to protect them. That is the direction being pursued by the Police Regional Office 2 (PRO2), or the “Valley Cops,” under Regional Director PBGen Mariano C. Rodriguez, who has placed accountability, personnel management, transparency and co

Lifestyle

3,406 TB Patients in Pampanga Just Received Rice and ₱3,000 Aid—But the Bigger Health Push Is Yet to Come

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — More than 3,400 tuberculosis (TB) patients across Pampanga have received food and financial assistance as the provincial government and national agencies step up support for residents undergoing treatment. A total of 3,406 TB patients received half a sack of rice each through President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Bawat Bayan Makikinabang initiative, according to the Philippine Information Agency (PIA). The assistance was intended to help beneficiaries meet their food

Politics

Marcos Presidency Through the Lens: Rare Images Go on Display in Pasay—But What Do They Reveal?

PASAY CITY — Four years of the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. presidency are now being told through photographs, as the Presidential Photojournalists Association (PPA) opened “In Focus: Marcos Presidency,” an exhibit showcasing major moments captured by journalists assigned to cover Malacañang. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos led the opening of the exhibit on August 13 at the Likhang Filipino Exhibition Hall in Pasay City, giving the public a chance to see the admin

Politics

Sarangani Quake-Hit Barangay Gets P200,000 Lifeline-But The Bigger Help May Still Be Coming

MALAPATAN, Sarangani — As communities in Sarangani continue rebuilding after the powerful June 8 earthquake, one barangay is putting government assistance to work in two areas that matter most: keeping students in school and restoring damaged community facilities. Barangay Tuyan in Malapatan received a P200,000 allocation under the Socio-Civic Projects Fund–Bawat Barangay Makikinabang (SCPF-BBM). Barangay officials said half of the amount will directly benefit five students, while the remaining

Politics

Philippines Moves to Build a National Cybersecurity Agency—But Is the Country Ready for the Next Major Attack?

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is taking a major step toward strengthening its defenses against cyberattacks after the House of Representatives approved a sweeping cybersecurity measure that could fundamentally reshape how the country protects government systems, businesses and critical infrastructure. House Bill No. 9605, or the proposed “National Cybersecurity and Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Act of 2026,” was approved on third and final reading in the House, accordin

Politics

Pampanga’s New Promise to Amputees: Prosthetic Limbs Now Paired With Livelihood and Healthcare Support

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Getting a prosthetic limb may restore a person’s mobility—but for Pampanga officials, that is only the beginning. The provincial government is committing to a broader support program for persons with disabilities (PWDs), particularly amputees, combining prosthetic assistance, rehabilitation, livelihood opportunities, skills training and continuing healthcare in an effort to help beneficiaries return to work and regain independence. Governor Lilia Pineda said th

Politics

₱28.8 Million Released to All 144 Mountain Province Barangays—Here’s Where the Money Is Headed

BONTOC, Mountain Province — All 144 barangays in Mountain Province have received a combined ₱28.8 million in assistance under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Bawat Barangay Makikinabang (BBM) Program, bringing national government support directly to communities across the province. The distribution was held on August 12, 2026, at the Leonard G. Mayaen Sports Complex in Bontoc, where barangay officials received allocations from the President’s Socio-Civic Projects Fund (SCPF). Each of the p